University lawyer: NCAA won't investigate allegations

LITTLE ROCK -- Allegations by former Razorback Glendon
Alexander that he was paid by boosters, skipped class and sold free
tickets will not be investigated by the NCAA, a lawyer for the
University of Arkansas says.

University general counsel Scott Varady said in a telephone
interview from Fayetteville on Monday that he spoke with an NCAA
enforcement director and was told the organization would not pursue
allegations made by Glendon Alexander, who played basketball for
Arkansas from 1996 to 1997.

Alexander, in prison in Seagoville, Texas, until 2006 for
federal bank and wire fraud convictions, made the allegations in a
Sports Illustrated story.

"We have no information to corroborate or suggest that there's
any substance to the allegations that have been made," Varady
said. "I think the story was handled in a routine manner by the
NCAA, but it prompted maybe greater concern that it should have."

Varady said that in the NCAA's judgment, the allegations fall
outside the statute of limitations of four years.

"A violation that is over four years old, they don't pursue but
there are three exceptions to that rule," Varady said.

The NCAA can investigate allegations of violations older than
four years if a player involved is still on campus, if the
violations are still occurring, or if the violations are a blatant
disregard of the rules.

NCAA rules preclude officials from commenting on specific cases.
NCAA spokeswoman Kay Hawes said Tuesday that, under the policy, the
association could not discuss Alexander's allegations.

Alexander, who quit the Razorbacks in December 1997, told Sports
Illustrated that boosters gave him $10,000, that he didn't attend
classes and that he sold his game tickets for a profit. The
magazine said an NCAA investigator met with Alexander, who is now
in prison on fraud convictions.

Varady said he was happy to hear of the NCAA's decision, but
added that the university will examine its compliance program to
see if any changes need to be made.

"We will make sure that we don't have any issues," Varady
said.

After leaving Arkansas, the 6-4 guard transferred to Oklahoma
State University and he made similar allegations about receiving
payments while he was there.

Oklahoma State Athletic Director Harry Birdwell said the school
looked into the accusations, also published in the Sports
Illustrated story, and found nothing.

The former player told the magazine that he was able to remain
eligible at Arkansas despite not going to class.

At the time, Arkansas athletic officials were watching the
basketball program closely after revealing that the daughter of
then-Chancellor Dan Ferritor had allegedly written papers for a
player, among other allegations.

This year, the university settled a long-running NCAA
investigation over improper payments to students who worked for a
Dallas booster. Arkansas gave up a total of 10 football
scholarships, one basketball scholarship and four basketball
visits, and the entire sports program was placed on three years'
probation.